All of our Octane series packs are made from ultra-light materials so they’re good for adventure racing, trail running or XC bike riding – anything where you need to move fast and minimize weight. The Octane XCT takes this approach to extremes by stripping the pack down to the basics. Inside you’ll find our 3 liter Antidote Reservoir, which drops in behind the back panel. Outside we’ve added a single vertical zip storage pocket on the front and two stash pockets on the waist belt and harness so you can keep essentials close at hand. For safety we’ve added reflectivity front and back and a whistle on the harness

This is my second Camelback, first was "rogue", not suitable for running or much mountain biking due to excessive movement. I read reviews on the Octane XTC and ordered it. The inaugural run was an unsupported 15 mile, 3 hour trail run in 90 degree heat at Oak mountain State park in Pelham, Alabama on August 5th. The first mile I was adjusting it, ending up with zero movement and being very, very comfortable. The side zippered pouches are great, plenty of volume, reachable without removing pack or slowing down at all. If your worried about it being too big or heavy for a 3 liter pack? Don't give it a second thought: fill it up, invert pack, draw air out like your trying to drink, throw it on your back and go. I would have never made 3 hours with any less liquid, Awesome pack, if it were stolen? I'd buy the exact same thing.

Great minimalist running pack. First time I used it was on a 25 mile day hike, in which the pack performed ideally. Also have used it on various runs. Only thing I have to say is that it is somewhat tricky to get adjusted to ones specifications.

I love this camelbak. It is comfortable and works great. It is so easy to fill and clean. The extra pockets are great for my gps and some snack bars and little trail things (ziplocks to keep electronics dry). The central back pouch over the bladder has an earphone slot. It doesn't slosh much if you fill the bladder and remove the air properly. There is some noise if you are bouncing a lot (hard running), but it is not bad. I use earphones for much of my exercise and couldn't hear it except for pauses in quiet music or a podcast.My only negative was that you can't really route the tube for hands-free operation, I think because of it's length. By that I mean when I am mountain biking I would like to just bite it and suck without using hands. That said, the options to route the tubing three different ways might work better for someone with a different body than mine, or perhaps some people don't mind using a hand to drink (I will stop the bike to drink on hard trails where one-handing is not an option).